A dear man of God was speaking sometime ago about his relationship with a senior minister. According to him; “A lot of people often think that this Bishop gave me money to run ministry. If I ever receive anything from my mentor, it was not money. It was wisdom. This intangible has produced the tangible stuff you see around me today.” He valued the intangibles.
Friend, learn to value intangible things. This is the secret of those who would go far with God. It is a sign of maturity. Babies want something they can see, feel and touch; they want something they can relate with in the now. But as we grow in destiny, we won’t mind trading the physical for the spiritual, the tangible for the intangible, the temporal for the eternal.
“And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me” (Genesis 25:32). Perhaps, one virtue that stood Jacob out was his eye on the future. Jacob valued the intangible. He could give up his porridge in exchange for the birthright. Esau was only concerned with here and now. He promoted temporary pleasure and satisfaction above permanent gain. He sold and lost the future (Genesis 27:37-38).
“Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright” (Hebrews 12:16). Esau was a profane person. This might be the reason God loved Jacob and hated Esau (Romans 9:13). Your posture around God and the things of destiny must be right. God would not give what is holy to dogs (Matthew 7:6). He would not commit something of eternal value to a careless person.
“And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac” (Genesis 25:5). What Abraham blessed Isaac with was something intangible. Isaac had passed the test of maturity. He would not be moved by the gifts that Abraham gave to the sons of the concubines (Genesis 25:6). He was satisfied with the intangible that would eventually produce the tangible.
Value the intangibles. Put high premium on visions, prophecies, covenants and things that others often despise. Value thoughts over things; it is thoughts that produce things. Value wisdom over money. Use the physical to get the spiritual and not vice versa (1 Corinthians 15:46). Don’t sell your birthright for porridge. Never sacrifice the ultimate for the immediate. Value the intangibles.
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria